AML Compliance Guide

Which software is best?

Comparing AML/CTF compliance software is hard because marketing pages tend to converge on the same language regardless of what's actually built. The way through is to score vendors against a fixed set of concrete capabilities rather than reading claims at face value.

Last updated 13 July 2026

Sound familiar?

  • Every vendor's marketing site uses near-identical language — 'compliant', 'audit-ready', 'built for Tranche 2'.
  • You can't tell from a homepage whether a tool actually generates a usable program or just gives generic advice.
  • You don't have a consistent framework to score competing options against.

Concrete criteria worth scoring, not marketing claims

  • Does it generate an actual, exportable AML/CTF program document, or only checklists and advice?
  • Does it cover ongoing CDD (monitoring, re-verification triggers) or only initial onboarding checks?
  • Does it maintain the specific registers AUSTRAC expects (training, staff due diligence, SMR decision log), or only the risk assessment and program?
  • Is content kept current against AUSTRAC guidance updates, and how is that demonstrated?
  • What's actually included at each price tier, versus what requires an upsell or add-on?

A note on this comparison

This page sets out the comparison framework, not a scored comparison table. We haven't published a vendor-by-vendor scorecard here because we don't have independently verified data on competitors' current feature sets — publishing an unverified or self-serving comparison would be worse than publishing none. If you're evaluating vendors, apply the criteria above directly against each vendor's own documentation or a live demo.

Watch for scope creep in vendor claims

A tool that says it 'covers Tranche 2' may only cover the risk assessment and program, leaving CDD workflows and ongoing registers as a manual add-on — worth confirming directly rather than assuming from a features list.

Coming soon

Feature Comparison Matrix

This interactive tool isn't built yet (planned component: VendorComparisonMatrix). Check back soon, or read the guidance above in the meantime.

Where this leaves you

Confidence in what genuinely differs between vendors, using a consistent framework rather than marketing impressions.

Chosen a preferred vendor? Verify it actually covers every obligation →

Does this cover every obligation? →

A lightweight AML platform, built exclusively for Tranche 2

Get AUSTRAC's mandates done as fast and effortless as possible.

  • Built around AUSTRAC's actual requirements
  • Single maintained compliance file
  • No compliance expertise required
  • 25 minute initial compliance setup
  • Obligations calendar & reminders
  • Instant data export
Setup: ~25 minutes Ongoing: minutes per client Price: $8 per KYC
See the product →

This is general information, not legal advice. Always verify current requirements on the AUSTRAC website or seek professional advice for your specific situation.